REV UP MA
Dignity Alliance MA voted to endorse and support the upcoming REV UP conference. REV UP Mass (Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!) is a local coalition that is part of the larger national REV UP network that exists to build the power of the disability vote. That means making sure ...
National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality
A major, comprehensive report on nursing home care was released on April 6, 2022, by the Committee on the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes under the jurisdiction of the National Academies of Sciences (NASEM), Engineering, and Medicine, The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality: Honoring Our Commitment to ...
Advocate to Pay to Spouses as Caregivers
S89 / H1305 An Act allowing spouses as caregivers Referred to Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. Contact Senator Adam Gomez (Adam.Gomez@masenate.gov, (617) 722-1660) and Representative Michael Finn (Michael.Finn@mahouse.gov, (617) 722-2676) to urge favorable action. Sponsors - Senator Joanne Comerford and Representative Norman Orrall Read the full ...
Advocate for Nursing Home Reform
Please contact Senator Pat Jehlen (Patricia.Jehlen@masenate.gov, (617) 722-1578) and Representative Tom Stanley (Thomas.Stanley@mahouse.gov, (617) 722-2810) of the Committee on Elder Affairs to urge favorable action on S414 and other bills that would improve the quality of nursing homes. It is possible that some of these bills may be incorporated into ...
DignityMA Media Re: White House Proposal
DignityMA members have been busy being published in newspapers across the state, explaining our support for the White House's Proposed Nursing Home Reforms. Paul Lanzikos in the Gloucester Daily Times and the Salem News Arlene Germain in the Greenfield Recorder. Previous Previous Our view: Doing the right thing We ...
Resolution – COVID-19 Remembrance Day
H4224 - Resolutions establishing the annual observance of COVID-19 Remembrance Day Please support H4224! Letter to Legislators DignityMA has sent this letter to legislators. We ask others to contact their legislators and support 4224. Dear Legislator: Dignity Alliance Massachusetts is recognizing the two year anniversary of the onset of Covid-19 ...
Action Agenda from Consumer Voice
From the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care March Forth Together On February 28, 2022, the Biden Administration announced it would be implementing new nursing home reforms including the creation of a minimum staffing standard in nursing homes, accountability for poor performing nursing homes, increased transparency around ownership ...
Endorsement S2695 – PACT: Pharmaceutical Access, Costs and Transparency
S2695 - An Act relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency Filed by Senator Friedman, originally as S771. The Senate has passed the PACT Act. Please ask House Members to endorse and pass the PACT Act. Summary The bill seeks to bring oversight to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), who play ...
Support for White House’s Proposed Nursing Home Reforms
March 1, 2022 Dignity Alliance released a statement applauding the White House's proposed nursing home reforms(pdf). The release highlights DignityMA priorities. The Release and White House Proposal are copied in full below. Media Release on White House's Proposed Nursing Home Reforms March 1, 2022— (Boston, MA)–The COVID-19 pandemic exposed longstanding ...
Legislative Training for Advocates
Presented by Jessica Constantino, Massachusetts Director of Advocacy, AARP With Senator Richard T. Moore, Co-chair of the Dignity Alliance MA Legislative Work Group Wednesday, March 9, 2022 This session was designed to bolster our understanding of the Massachusetts Legislature and improve our advocacy efforts on behalf of older adults, people ...
Senate Passes Pharmaceutical Access, Costs and Transparency (PACT) Act
February 2022 Bill will reduce prescription drug costs, promote transparency, and increase patient access BOSTON – Today, the Massachusetts Senate passed An Act relative to Pharmaceutical Access, Costs and Transparency (PACT Act), comprehensive pharmaceutical cost control legislation aimed at addressing the high and rapidly increasing costs of prescription drugs. By ...
Social Media Workshops
Engaging Everyone: Creating Accessible, Powerful Social Media Content Part One can be viewed on YouTube and we have provided a roadmap and other useful links below. Sign Up for Part Two - March 2! Sponsored by CIL and Neighborhood Access Part One: The Basics Learn how to create accessible, powerful ...
S 331 / HR 1219 – ABLE Age Adjustment Act
Federal Bills S 331 and HR 1219 support the Dignity Alliance MA Goal 1 – Home and Community-Based Supports and Services improvement and expansion of opportunities. DAM has endorsed this legislation. This bill increases from 26 to 46 the age threshold for tax-favored ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts ...
S 1773 – Prescription Drug Pricing Dashboard Act
Federal Bill S1773 supports the Dignity Alliance MA Goal 3 – Home and Community-Based Supports and Services improvement and expansion of opportunities. A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to establish internet website-based dashboards to allow the public to review information on spending for, and utilization ...
Alarm Sounded over Nursing Home Care Gaps
December 6, 2021 - Boston Globe Letter - Alarm sounded over continual gaps in care at nursing homes Is there no dignity among owners and operators of nursing homes that so many fail their most basic responsibility to protect the lives of the residents and staff? No one should be ...
HR 598 – Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID–19 and Beyond Act
Federal Bill HR 598 supports the Dignity Alliance MA Goal 1 – Nursing Home Reform that is person-centered and respectful of human dignity with oversight, accountability and transparency. DAM has endorsed this legislation. This bill modifies several requirements for Medicare skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and Medicaid nursing facilities (NFs) to ...
(Oppose) S 1295 – Trust Act of 2021
Federal Bill S1295 is relevant to Dignity Alliance MA Goal 3: Home and Community-Based Supports and Services improvement and expansion of opportunities. DAM opposes this legislation. Whenever a Trust Fund is depleted automatic cuts take place in the program if Congress fails to act. Medicare and Social Security would be ...
HR 2812 – Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act
HR 2812 supports:
- DAM Goal 1: Nursing Home Reform that is person-centered and respectful of human dignity with oversight, accountability and transparency.
- DAM Goal 3: Home and Community-Based Supports and Services improvement and expansion of opportunities.
- Prohibit pre-dispute binding arbitration agreements allowing legal action ...
The Budget Reconciliation Legislation which includes nursing home reform, HCBS funding, workforce enhancements and elder justice provisions
The nursing home provisions will promote DAM Goal 1 - Nursing Home Reform that is person-centered and respectful of human dignity with oversight, accountability and transparency
- Improved accuracy and reliability of data submitted to CMS through the payroll-based journal and quality measures or resident assessment data. This is important for ...
S2694 / HR 5169 – Nursing Home Improvement and Accountability Act of 2021
Federal Bills S 2694 and HR 5169 support the Dignity Alliance MA Goal 1 – Nursing Home Reform that is person-centered and respectful of human dignity with oversight, accountability and transparency. DAM has endorsed this legislation. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an enormous toll on nursing home residents and staff, ...
